Happy Birthday, Peyton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, my baby boy is 13 today and so there's 3 teenage boys in my house (19, 16, 13), along with a 2 year old little girl.

As I write, I remember that at this exact time on April 8th, 1997, he was just about to be born and we had no clue as to his gender.  He came into this world weighing almost 10 pounds and when they said we had another boy, everybody in the room just burst into laughter and joy!  I was the blessed mom to 3 boys!  So fun!  What a ride it's been. He is my gentle giant in so many ways.

Peyton, you are a PRECIOUS child, who I love and respect in so many ways.  You came into this world, as I've said so many times "half grown," and it's true not only physically, but other ways as well.  You are mature beyond your years.  You're bright.  You're the most patient person that I have ever met.  You can do anything.  You are a self-teacher.  You can figure out a conundrum like no other.  You are a deep thinker.  You have an analytical mind.  You are not intimidated by the hard stuff.  You invite a challenge.  You welcome a struggle.  You embrace what others would fear.  You amaze me and your daddy.  You are a third son, which makes you tough.  You have been picked on by two older brothers 'til it has made you a strong and resilient young man.  You have had to "fight" to keep up and keep up you've done.  You have soaked it all in, and digested it all, and figured out your place, and who you are, and to Whom you belong.  You know your Maker and you love your Maker.  You have a tender heart toward the things of God.  Speaking of that, you KNOW His Word, and that makes me so proud.  You really do know His Word.  It is hidden in your heart.  It is the well-spring of your life, today and forever. You have the markings of one who knows Jesus.  I love that in you so much.  You are a friend.  A real friend.  It matters not to you whether a person is popular, or an athlete, or is smart, or is.....You just love people right where they are.  For who they are.  Flaws and all.  That sounds like Jesus to me!!!!!!!!!  I know this about you, but it's what your teachers tell me about you as well.  What a gift you are to those around you.  As I'm writing, it just turned 11:13 am and that's the exact time you were born!  What a joy you were that moment 13 years ago and ever since.  Back to being a friend.  You are trustworthy.  You don't turn your back on others when the going gets tough.  You stand for what you believe, even when it's not popular.  You are you, and no one tells you who to be.  You are not afraid of that either.  You are funny.  Actually hysterical.  You are quirky.  You are full of surprises.  I love how you fight off our smooches, when deep down, we know you really do love 'em.  You never cease to amaze us with your newfound talents.  Speaking of newly discovered talent:  tell me WHO just teaches themselves in a couple month's time how to play the piano like you?  Pey-toven, that's who!!  And you're dang good!  I love hearing that piano come to life every time you walk through the door.  Even when it's loud and chaotic in the midst of this crazy, busy house, I still love hearing you do your thing on that piano over it all!  Thank you for blessing us with that!  What a gift.  I love your love for the call to Adoption.  I love how you love all the little children, red and yellow, black and white.  I also love that when anything needs fixing around here, that we all come running to you!  You've got our backs on how everything works. I love that you still have to give me daily tutorials on how all these electronics in our house work...even down to how to get some of these TVs on!  Sorry, get used to it.  Peyton, I really love how you have embraced and loved and cared for your baby sister.  You "moved over" and willingly gave up the title of "baby" in our family with the most loving, welcoming spirit I have ever seen!!  You were a trooper in China.  A soldier on a mission.  You were a champion for our cause and I will admire you forever for the grace you displayed under some pretty difficult circumstances.  You adopted her with every bit of passion and love that we did!  Looked like Jesus to me!!  Never once have you even hinted at jealousy.  Never once.  You've given and given to her.  You've cared for her better than some other moms I know, and I mean that Peyton.  I know a few moms who could benefit from watching you in action.  You are her "Captain Safety."  We all laugh about that in this family and "at" you for it, but you know that it's a worthy title.  I want you to know that it's love in action that makes you Captain Safety.  I would trust you to literally raise Macy Li if something happened to us because you could MORE than do it.  How many moms can say that about their 13 year old son?  Not many.  I love your shoulder-dimples that match my own (see below).  I love how you're a night-owl!  I love how social you are.  I love watching you compete in sports.  You love it and you do it with passion.  You fight.  You love to win. But when the game's over, your perspective about what just went down is more mature than most of the parents' who were watching the game.  That's Jesus in you! You get it.  You've always gotten it.  You know what's important and what's not.  You live life for the moment.  You love every moment for what it brings to your life.  This will probably embarrass you, but I love how you snuggle.  I love it when you crawl into bed and wrap me up.  I looooove your hugs.  Your "embrace" (haha!private joke).  I love your creations.  I love your magic tricks.  Your riddles and jokes.  I love your stories.  I love that you want to learn everything about everything.  I just love you, Tater.  Happy Birthday to my new teenager!  You're a joy!  I'm glad you were born!

Love you, my gentle giant,
Mom

Psalm 127:3-5a
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."